Category: Obituaries

Jeanne Ruth Buskirk

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Jeanne R. Buskirk peacefully passed away on March 28, 2022.

Jeanne was born on April 10, 1929, in Omaha, Nebraska to Dr. George S. and Naomi O. Brancroft. She grew up in Pollack, South Dakota and Scottsbluff and Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating from Omaha South High School in 1946, Jeanne met Ronald E. Buskirk while attending Hastings College. They were married in Omaha on August 16, 1948. Jeanne and Ron moved to Chicago for Ron to attend McCormick Theological Seminary. Jeanne graduated from Roosevelt University in 1950.

Initially, Jeanne taught elementary school in Park Forrest, Illinois. Shortly after, she and Ron moved to Wakefield, Nebraska. In addition to supporting Ron in the six churches he served, Jeanne taught elementary and special education in Holdrege, Nebraska, Grand Junction, Colorado, and Derby and Mulvane, Kansas. Ron and Jeanne retired to Lawrence, Kansas in 2001 to be near their younger son and family.

Jeanne is survived by her three children, Linda Sue Niles and her husband, Stephen (Omaha), Steven John Buskirk and his wife, Debbie (Rochester, Minnesota) and Paul Raymond Buskirk and his wife, Lauren Yoshinobu (Lawrence), seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, George and Naomi Bancroft, brother Dwight Bancroft, and husband Ronald Buskirk.

Jeanne will be remembered as a dedicated and kind teacher, devoted and generous mother, and friend to all. Her love and dedication to her family and her steadfast faith in God were the hallmarks of her life.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of her life on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Lawrence, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Visiting Nurses Association Hospice in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Patricia (Trish) Maree Conner

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The Celebration of Life for Patricia Maree Conner, 52, of Iola, KS, will be at 6:00pm on April 7th, 2022. It will be held in the Community building at Iola Riverside Park.

Patricia passed peacefully at the home of her daughter, with loved ones by her side.

Patricia was born on July 2nd, 1969 in San Bernardino, California, to David Ray Morris and Barbara Lorraine Phillips. She moved to Kansas with family in her younger years.

She was later married to Danny Conner until his passing in 2018.

Her survivors include her daughters, Tobi (Brandon) Iola, Tawni (Robert) Joplin Mo, Taray of Iola, and Karigen of Iola. Her Mom Vicki of Buffalo, Siblings; Dave Morris (Pam) of Andover, Austin Sicka , Shane Sicka (Crystal), Diane Cook, all of Buffalo. Scott McGuire, Uncle, from Junction City Ks. Four grandchildren. She had many, many bonus kids and grandkids.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Danny Conner. Her mother, Barbara Phillips. Her father, David Morris. Her grandmother, Vivian Morris.

Patricia’s family would like to send a special thank you to her and Danny’s grandson/funeral director for taking care of Mom when our turn was finished. We’d also like to thank Harry Hines Hospice Services for seeing us through this journey.

As per her wishes there will be no viewing or services. Burial will be at a later date, for immediate family to lay Patricia and Danny to rest.

 

Julia Beatrice Mason

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Funeral services for Julia Beatrice Mason, 74, Tonganoxie, will be 10 am, Tuesday, March 29th, 2022, at Evangelistic Center International Ministries 1800 Washington Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66102.  A visitation will begin at 9 am.  Burial will follow the service at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas.

She died March 18, 2022, at the University of Kansas Hospital.

Julia Beatrice Mason was born to Jim Bell and Adella Ethel Bell on August 6, 1947 in IXL, Okfuskee County, Oklahoma.  On June 12, 1965, she married Warren G. Mason, Jr.  She attended Langston University and thereafter moved to Kansas City, Kansas.

In Kansas City, Julia worked for United Missouri Bank for over a decade, while raising her three daughters. The family moved to Los Angeles in 1987.  While in Los Angeles, Julia worked as the Assistant Director of Externships at Southwestern University School of Law for 20 years. Most of the students at the law school considered Julia their “second mom” given her nurturing manner and help in guiding the careers of many soon to be attorneys.  After retiring from the law school, Warren and Julia returned to Kansas, residing in Tonganoxie, Kansas. Once there, Julia took on a role as a top Clinic Administrator for the University of Kansas Lipid Clinic under the leadership of Dr. Patrick Moriarty. In this role, she was able to exude her warmth, smile and expertise to the many patients and staff she interacted with.  Julia retired from this role in August 2021.

Julia was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  She had a large smile that could light up any room and soften the hardest of hearts. Julia passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022 at the University of Kansas Hospital after battling an illness for over two months.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Jimmie Bell and grandson Kai Mikel Roman.  Julia leaves behind her husband of fifty-six years, her daughters Jacqueline Denise Mason-English, Wanda Lavon Mason, and Joy Elaine Roman (Victor).  Julia was a grandmother to five boys, Phillip Anthony Shields, Justyn Daniel Shields, Varek Antonio Roman, Kai Mikel Roman and Enzo Warren Roman. She is also survived by her sisters Janice Marsh (Jimmy) and Judy Bell, as well as her brother Lloyd Bell and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Max R. Lingenfelser

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Max Richard Lingenfelser – March 5, 1928~ March 14, 2022

Max, 94, passed away at his home in Lawrence, Kansas on March 14, 2022, surrounded by family and friends. Max was born in Lawrence, Kansas on March 5, 1928 to John and Gladys (Cline) Lingenfelser. At the age of 2 weeks the family moved to rural Leavenworth County where Max attended a one room school house with his two brothers Jackie Gene and George. They moved back to Lawrence when Max was in the seventh grade.

As a teenager he worked many odd jobs for spending money. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the US Navy during World War II. He served on the USS Duluth and the USS Bremerton in the South Pacific.

Max was employed by Morton Building Company for over 37 years until his retirement.

Max had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed a good laugh. He often reminisced about the years he spent delivering blocks and the places he had been to around the world.

Max was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gladys Lingenfelser, his two brothers Jack and George Lingenfelser, granddaughter, Bonnie Jean Curtis, daughter-in-law Joy Lingenfelser, stepchildren, Melody Will Skinner and Tim Will, step son-in-law Harold Turner, step grandson, Jamie~Lee Pettengill, and step grandson-in-law John Daly.

Max is survived by “the love of his life” Marilyn Will of the home and his four children, Gloria Curtis of Kansas City, Missouri, Chuck Lingenfelser of Independence, Missouri , John and wife Tracey Lingenfelser of Lawrence, Kansas and Dorothy and husband James Niver of Sweet Springs, Missouri. Also surviving are Marilyn’s children that he loved as his own, Garth and Laura Will of Topeka, Kansas, Victoria Will of Lawrence, Kansas, Jamie and her husband Bill Pettengill of Lawrence, Kansas and Jalayne Turner of Linwood, Kansas.

Max has grandchildren and great grandchildren on the Lingenfelser and Will side of the family that he treasured and numerous friends who will miss him dearly.

A visitation will take place on May 19,2022, from 6:30-8 PM at Rumsey -Yost Funeral Home with a private Military burial on May 20, 2022, at 2PM at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas.

Cherrill L. Snow Shoemaker

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Cherrill L. Shoemaker, 80, passed away in her home on March 13, 2022, after a long illness. Cherrill was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who adored her family and enjoyed her years of service for local dentists. She loved her rural Lawrence life with family close by and was a lifelong fan of KU basketball.

Cherrill was preceded in death by her husband, Steve, her parents Lorin and Dorothy Snow, one brother and her only sister. She is survives by brothers Gary Snow (Lawrence), Steve Snow (Jenks, Okla.), daughter Vickie of the home, son Brad (Topeka), grandchildren Ashley Shoemaker (Lawrence), Cameron Shoemaker and wife Hayley (Lincoln, Neb.), Hannah Shoemaker (Holton), and two great grandchildren, Adalyn and Brody Porter (Lawrence).

Graveside services will be held Friday, March 18th at 11 am at Oak Hill Cemetery, with Pastor Michael Brecke officiating. Memorial contributions are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.

Douglas Ray ‘Doug’ Garey

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Douglas ‘Doug’ Ray Garey passed away peacefully after bringing joy his whole life of 76 years, even with a disability. Doug was born January 16,1946, in Augusta, Kansas to Floyd and Maxeen Garey (Barnes). Doug’s parents were traveling evangelists, with his father a licensed minister and artist, and his mother an accomplished cello player. Doug was diagnosed at an early age with a mental disability. Despite many prayers by Faith Healers and prominent evangelists, Doug maintained his sweet child-like spirit throughout his life.

Doug resided in Special Needs care facilities in Norton and Coffeyville, Kansas. He spent most of his years in the care and training of Cottonwood, Inc. in Lawrence, Kansas. Most recently, Doug resided at Brandon Woods assisted living in Lawrence and finally at Medicalodges in Gardner. He was blessed to have so many compassionate caregivers throughout his life.

Anyone who knew Doug quickly became aware of his love of trains – not just any old trains, but specific freight trains. He loved visiting the park in Lawrence at which the Union Pacific train passes by on schedule. The train engineers would delight Doug honking the horn, causing him to jump for joy! Doug also was a big fan of McDonald’s Big Mac sandwiches, which he ordered as a “Mac Attack”! He may have drank more iced coffees from McDonald’s than any other customer!

Doug also was a passionate football fan, attending KU Jayhawk games whenever possible. He loved wearing t-shirts for KU and the KC Chiefs!

Doug is survived by his brother, Norman Garey and wife Shelley, residing in Alaska, along with his nephew Whit Garey and niece Tiffany Saporito (Garey).

A memorial service will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday March 19th at 2:00 p.m. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Doug’s memory to Cottonwood, Inc., 2801 West 31st St. Lawrence, KS 66047.

John Richard ‘Rick’ Donaldson

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Funeral services for John Richard “Rick” Donaldson will be on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, at 6th St. and Indiana St., in Lawrence, KS. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m, funeral services at 2:00 p.m, with burial to immediately follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, Kansas. Pastor Dakota Smith of Ottawa Bible Church, Ottawa, Kansas, will officiate the services.

Mr. Donaldson was born July 12, 1947 in Atchison, KS, the son of John Calvin and Patricia Lucille Donaldson. He died at his home in Lawrence, KS. On March 12, 2022, after a six-week battle with lung cancer.

He graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School, in Shawnee, KS, in 1966.

He served in the U.S. Army from September 1966 to August 1972. He was called into active duty to the Vietnam War in May of 1968 until August of 1969. He received a National Defense Service Medal and was honorably discharged in August of 1972.

He graduated from the University of Las Vegas in 1999, with a degree in Hotel Administration. He was awarded a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 2006.

Mr. Donaldson grew up in the state of Kansas and moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he spent most of his adult life, until returning to Kansas in February of 2008. He then married Deborah Barkley of Ottawa, KS in May of 2009. They resided in Ottawa until moving to Lawrence, KS in 2013.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Calvin Donaldson and his mother, Patricia Lucille Donaldson.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah (Barkley) Donaldson of the home; Sons from previous marriages:  Casey Wade Donaldson (Jaimee) of Mesa, Arizona, Kevin Donaldson of Dallas,Texas, Ryan Joseph Donaldson of New York City, New York; Daughters of previous marriages include, Kelly Mello (Casio) of Phoenix, Arizona and Rachel Raimo (Nick) of Phoenix, Arizona; Siblings Pat Rhoten (Randy) of Topeka, Kansas, and Diane Taylor of San Antonio, Texas; three grandchildren; eleven grandchildren by marriage; two great-grandchildren by marriage.

Rick could talk for hours about old cars, new cars, and car parts. He could tell you all facts that you never wanted to know from movies he had seen. He was the person in the television ad, who became his parent unknowingly. He had a quick wit that could send a room full of strangers into hysterical laughter. He always had a quick smile for the grandchildren and a piece of candy in his pocket for them. He had a tremendous respect for his fellow Veterans, and he loved being a part of a fly-fishing group for Veterans.

Memorial donations can be directed to the fly-fishing organization for Veterans, Project Healing Waters of Topeka.  For more information, please contact Steve Williams at 785-640-6542.

Delmar Duane Falen

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Delmar D. Falen, 87, passed away March 11, 2022. He was born on February 22, 1935, to Paul W. and Bessie M. (Mathis) Falen in Dillon, KS, west of Herington, KS. He was welcomed into a family of three girls, and one more sister was born later. Their house was the Dillon Post Office as his Mom was the Postmistress. The Dillon Post Office sign still hangs in their home today.

Delmar grew up in a Braum’s Ice Cream shop (Peter Pan); his Mom managed the store in Herington. He made many 35 cent banana splits, and the money he earned put him through college. He remained a lifelong fan of their ice cream. In fact, Delmar and Shyla had just made a trip to Braum’s to restock his freezer.

During his elementary school years, the family moved to Herington, and Delmar graduated from Herington High in 1953. After graduation, he worked for the Rock Island Railroad for two years in Wichita. His boss, noticing his math skills, suggested he go to college – he was the first in his family to attend college and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Business.

In 1957, Delmar met the love of his life, Evelyn Pilkington, at an “hour dance” at KU’s Miller Scholarship Hall where she lived. They were married in Parsons, KS, on June 28, 1959 and celebrated 62 years together.

Delmar’s first job after college was with a CPA firm in Dodge City, KS, where they lived for three years. During that time their first daughter, Kyra, was born. After he passed the CPA exam, Delmar and Evelyn searched for a town to open an accounting firm. They settled on Marysville, KS where he practiced for 36 years. Their second daughter, Shyla, was born in Marysville. Delmar loved small town life, and especially enjoyed working with his clients and doing school audits.

Often when their daughters finished the school year, the family headed somewhere on vacation. Delmar would get up earlier than his family, grab a bite to eat, and was ready for “take-off” when Evelyn and the girls woke up. Except for a couple of bus tours, they saw almost every state by car – however, they did fly to Alaska, Hawaii, and Europe.

Delmar was a gardener and beekeeper and was often seen working in the garden in his good suit, not taking time to change clothes after work. He loved growing flowers but could not remember the name of many – he simply called them “flowers”. Friends will recall he celebrated every holiday season by creating and personally sharing his famous bourbon and rum balls.

Delmar was an avid KU sports fan – his family had season basketball and football tickets even when they had to drive 250 miles to see the games. After they moved to Lawrence, KS, in 1998, he enjoyed attending numerous concerts at the Lied Center. Music was a daily occurrence in the Falen household as Evelyn was either playing an instrument or teaching piano most days – he never complained even when he had to listen to beginners.

Delmar was a member of Jayhawk Breakfast Rotary Club where he served as treasurer for several years. He was also a member of First Baptist Church in Lawrence. In his later years, his favorite activity was putting puzzles together. He had just finished a 1000 piece puzzle before his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Pauline Allen, Lois Miller, and Joyce Rush. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, two daughters, Kyra Shimizu (Richard) of Superior, CO and Shyla Strathman (Max) of Lawrence. Delmar was so pleased that all his grandchildren received college degrees – Kaitlin Shimizu, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Adelyn Moody (Justin), LaMesa, CA; Tamlyn Shimizu (Till Bachmeier), Buenzwangen, Germany; Adam Strathman, Washington, D.C., and Nate Strathman, Waukegan, IL. Also surviving is one sister, Arlene Girton, Moundridge, KS and his sister-in-law, Delores Giauque (Douglas) of Silver Spring, MD.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold Drive, Lawrence, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to KSDS Assistance Dogs, 120 W. 7th St., Washington, KS 66968 or to Jayhawk Breakfast Rotary Club, P.O. Box 691, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Sherry Marie Swearngin McBride

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Sherry Marie Swearngin McBride passed away on March 4th, 2022 at Hansen House Assisted Living in Harlan, Iowa.

Sherry was born April 19th, 1939, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to Leonard and Edith Swearngin. She met her high school sweetheart, Walter (Wally) McBride while attending College High School in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They both attended Oklahoma State University and were married upon Wally’s graduation.

Sherry and Wally lived all over the country, initially due to Wally’s career in the United States Marine Corps and then his career with Phillips Petroleum. They ultimately landed in Lawrence, Kansas, where they set their roots and Wally went into business with his brother, Bob, at M&M Oil Company.

Sherry had a passion for her relationship with God and was always active in her local church. She spent countless hours in service at Westside Presbyterian Church in Lawrence. She also volunteered at the local hospital. She had a generous and compassionate heart.

Sherry was preceded in death by her mother and father, husband and sister, Susanna Griffin.

Survivors include:

-Daughter, Michelle Burmeister and husband Doug of Harlan, Iowa.

-Son, Matt McBride and wife Gina of Olathe, Kansas.

-Son, Kurt McBride and wife Dionne of Round Rock, Texas.

-Brother, John Swearngin of Fort Meyers, Florida.

-Sister, Kristie Swearngin of Leawood, Kansas.

-Seven (7) grandchildren.

-Six (6) great-grandchildren.

-Many other nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

While we mourn the loss of Sherry, we know that she loved Jesus and that we will see her again because of our confidence in our Lord and Savior.

Private services and burial will be held in Lawrence, Kansas. The family requests no flowers, instead please make a donation in Sherry’s name to either to Westside Presbyterian Church; 1024 Kasold Drive; Lawrence, KS 66049; or Hansen House; 703 Dye Street; Harlan, IA 51537; note for Building Fund.